Department of Religious Affairs Hosts 'Open House' for Sunday Buddhist Centers

The Department of Religious Affairs, under the Ministry of Culture, recently hosted its 'Open House' event for the 2026 fiscal year at Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon) in Bangkok. The event brought together religious leaders, educators, and students from Sunday Buddhist Education Centers (ศพอ.) to discuss strategies for integrating moral and ethical education into youth development.

Presided over by Phra Thepwatcharanusit and Department of Religious Affairs Director-General Chaiyapol Suk-iam, the gathering focused on the 'Bawon' mechanism—a collaborative framework involving homes, religious sites, schools, and government agencies. The initiative aims to foster a supportive environment where children can gain knowledge alongside strong moral values, ultimately preparing them to be responsible citizens.

For residents and visitors, this event highlights the ongoing efforts of Thai cultural institutions to modernize religious education by incorporating technology and collaborative community networks. The program featured panel discussions on successful management strategies for Sunday centers, involving representatives from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Mahamakut Buddhist University, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

While the event successfully facilitated knowledge exchange among existing networks, the long-term impact of these specific integration strategies on national youth development remains to be seen. Further updates on the implementation of these educational frameworks across other provinces have not yet been announced.